Cleaning and polishing machine



Oct. 6, 1959 Filed Nov. 1, 1956 B. D. CQRNETT CLEANING AND POLISHINGMACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

v gOYD CORNETT Oct. 6, 1959 B. D. CORNETT CLEANING AND POLISHING MAcHmE2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov.

VI IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII WIIIIIIIflI/IIIIIIIIIL FIG. 7. I

FIG. 4.

INVENTOR.

BOYD CO ETT 2,907,059 CLEANING AND POLISHING MACHINE Boyd D. Cornett,Bartlesville, Okla. Application November 1, '1956, Serial No. 619,843

17 Claims. c1. PIS-21) This invention relates to a machine for cleaningand/ or polishing articles of non-cylindrical generally symmetricalshape about an elongated axis, such as bowling pins. or bottles.

The task of cleaning bowling pins is frequent and is generally done byhand. An average sized bowling establishment having a dozen alleysoperates with at least two sets of 120 pins each which requires cleaningfrequently. A machinewhich does this work is obviously a time saver andof considerable economic advantage.

Cleaning machinesare available for cleaning generally cylindricalarticles but these machines do not compensate for the extreme variationsin contour and diameter characteristic of a bowling or ten pin. Thebrushes in cleaning machines for bottles are fixed and are notadjustable to the shape of the pin. Consequently, if the brushes arespaced apart far enough to permit insertion of the body of the pin, themachine is not effective in cleaning the entire bodyof the pin.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a machine forcleaning non-cylindrical articles which are symmetrical about alongitudinal axis. Another object is to provide a machine for cleaningbowling pins, which compensates for the large diameter of the body ofthe pin upon insertion of the pin in the machine and during cleaning. Afurther object is to provide a cleaning and/or polishing machine forbowling pins which applies liquid cleaner on the pins simultaneouslywith brushing. It is also an object of the invention to provide aflexible brush assembly for a cleaning machine. Other objects of theinvention will become apparent from the accompanying disclosure.

I have devised a machine for cleaning and/or polishing bowling pins andthe like, which utilizes a flexible brush assembly to permitdisplacement of one end of one of the brushes to facilitate insertion ofthe pin into the pin pocket surrounded by the brushes. This feature ofthe machine permits shaping and arranging the brushes so that theysubstantially uniformly contact the entire body section of the pinduring rotation and cleaning. Another aspect of the invention comprisesa liquid dispersion system which sprays cleaning and/or polishing liquidonto the brushes during the cleaning operation. A further aspect of theinvention lies in the adjustment of bristle length at the insertion orfront end of the brushes so that they are shorter than the bristles atthe opposite end, whereby excessive gripping of the pin is avoided withattendant choking down of the machine power or rate of rotation.

A more complete understanding of the invention may be had from aconsideration of the accompanying schematic drawing of which Figure 1 isa side elevation partially in section of a pin cleaning machineconstructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a front viewof the brush assembly and cleaning drum of Figure 1 taken parallel withthe axis of the housing and assembly with the cover removed; Figure 3 isa rear view of the the cleaning drum along its axis, showing the pulleynited States Patent i 7 2,907,059 Patented Oct. e, was

ice

and belt arrangement; Figure 4 is an elevation of" a deinvention; Figure6 is an elevation of a detail of the flexible support coupling and driveshaft assembly of Figure 1; and Figure'7 is an elevation of a detailofanother embodiment of a flexible support coupling suitable for use inthe machine of Figure 1. Corresponding parts in the various figures arecorrespondingly numbered or designated.

Referring to Figure 1, a support frame 10, having four legs 12 supportedby castors 14 and a motor platform 16, supports a cylindrical cleaningdrum or hous-- ing 18 in oblique position. Drum 18 is provided witharemovable cover 20 having an axial opening 22 for insertion and removalof bowling pin 24, and with a sealed bottom closure 26. Three cleaningbrushes 28, 29, and 30 aresupported in symmetrical arrangement in thehousing. fixed front bearings 32 and fixed rear bearings 34.

A flexible bearing assembly 36 supports the front end of brush 29,spring biased in normal operating position. The rear end of brush 29 issupported by a flexible support coupling 3'7 which couples the spindle38 of brush 2? and with drive shaft 40. An outer fixed bearing 34 and aninner fixed bearing 42 support shaft 40 in alignment with spindle 38 ofbrush 29. The opposite end of spindle 38 is supported in bearing 36.Brushes 28 and 30 are provided with spindles 44 and 46, respectively,which extend thru front bearings 32 and rear bearings 34. Shaft 40 andspindles 44 and 46 are sealed by means of retainers 48 Where they passthru bottom 26 of drum 18. A pin stop 50 is attached to bottom 26 bynuts 52 at the axis of the drum.

Each brush comprises a spindle which may run entirely thru the brush ormay extend only from each end section of cylindrical core of body member54. A plate 56 fixed on the brush spindle firmly against body section 54prevents movement of the body section axially on the spindle and addsstability to the brush. Each brush is provided with radially extendingbristles 58 which are of progressively shorter length from each end tothe center so as to impart a concave contour to the brush correspondingwith the contour of the body section of the pin to be cleaned. Thespindle of the brush is preferably steel and body section 54 may be ofwood, or of synthetic composition such as plastic. Bristles 58 may bemade of genuine bristle, or of nylon, or of other suitable syntheticmaterial. Practically all bristle ma terials commonly used in brusheswill function satisfactorily.

A liquid dispersion system shown in Figure 1 comprises a spray line 60disposed radially outside of each brush and having sprays 62 which mayconsist of fine orifices in the line directed toward their respectivebrush. Lines 60 are connected with a manifold line 64 which in turnconnects with a liquid supply line 66. This supply line connects withthe bottom section of a supply reservoir 68. A pump in line 66, operatedby a motor 72, pumps liquid cleaner to the sprays 62. A return line 74connects an outlet 76 (Fig. 2) in drum 18 with reservoir 68. Line 74 isprovided with a sediment bulb 78.

The propelling means for the brushes includes a motor 80 having a drivepulley 82, together with pulleys 84, 85, and 86 on the blush spindlesand belt 88. These pulleys and belt are preferably of the V-type. Motor80 is supported by bracket 0 at an oblique angle so that its shaft isparallel with the axis of the drum and brush assembly and with itspulley in alignment with the spindle drive pulleys.

Brushes 28 and 29 are supported by means of v Figure 2 shows thepreferred brush assembly of Figure 1 in end perspective. The axis of thebrushes are disposed 120 apart on an imaginary cylinder concentric withhousing 18 and positioned inside thereof to provide clearance for spraylines 60 between the brushes and housing. The front end bearings areattached by means of brackets 90 to the inside of housing 18 by suitablemeans such as spot welds, bolts, or rivets.

Figure 3 shows the rear end of the drum 18, and, particularly, the beltarrangement which rotates one brush, preferably brush 29, rotated byshaft 40, in an opposite direction to the other twobrushes.

The flexible support bearing 36 of Figure 4 comprises a base 92'having areceptacle 93 into which a guide shaft 94, rigidly attached to a bearingmember 95, slides upon displacement of the bearing member and shaftradially outwardly from its normal operating posi tion.. A spring 96urges the bearing member into operating position in alignment with shaft40. A stop screw 97 operates in a slot 98 in shaft 94 to limit theinnermost position of member 95.

Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of flexible bearing 36 in whichguide shaft 94 is threaded on its free end to receive nut 99, whichengages the under side of base 92 to limit the innermost position ofbearing member 95. Of course, other types of flexible supports forhearing member 95 may be used so long as they hold the bearing inalignment when not forced out by insertion of the bowling pin.

In Figure 6, bearing 34 is attached by a bracket 100 to bottom 26 of thehousing 18 and bearing 42 is attached through its base 102 by suitablemeans tohousing 18. Coupling 37 comprises two identical members 104 and106 which interlock in flexible engagement thru teeth 108. Set screws110 fix one of these coupling members to shaft 40 and the other tospindle 38. It is also feasible to utilize a conventional universaljoint as coupling 37.

Sealing assembly 48 comprises a pair of seal rings 112 enclosed in ahousing including a flange 114 which is attached to bottom 26 by screws(not shown). A fiber, rubber, or felt washer 116 is positioned betweenflange 114 and bottom 26. A similar seal 18 is provided on the outersurface of bottom 26;

Theshaft assembly of Figure 7 comprises a single bearing assembly 120with sealing means therein (not shown) and including an outer bearingmember 122 and an inner bearing member 124. Any of the bearings of themachine may include-roller bearings or ball bearings for smootheroperation and greater life.

While the arrangement shown includes only three brushes four ormore maybe utilized, depending upon the articles to be cleanned and otherfactors. It is also feasible to include more than one flexible brushassembly in the device, preferably on adjacent brushes.

A bowling pin cleaning machine was constructed in accordance with thedevice shown in Figures l,-2,'and 3 of the drawing. The brushes weremade of 8" wood cylinders 2" in diameter and provided with /2" spindles.The cylinder in which the brush axes were located was 13 /2 in diameter.The bristles were 1%" long on the rear end of each brush, 1%" long onthe front end, and long at the center of the brush. This made thebrushes 4 /2" x 2%" by 4%" in diameter. It is advantageous to make thebrushes of slightly smaller diameter at the front end so as to avoidgripping of the pin and choking down of brush speed.

The machine is operated continuously during cleaning and each pin wasinserted during rotation of the brushes. A liquid hydrocarbon cleanerwas continuously pumped onto the brusheswhile' the: brusheswere-turning. During'one'hour of operation, 140 pins were cleanedsatisfactorily after being used for approximately 300 lines of bowling.It takes the average worker approxiinvention,it being understood thatmodifications in the device may be made within the ambit or scope of theinvention.

I claim:

1. A machine for cleaning and polishing irregularly shaped articlescomprising several elongated rotary brushes disposed in spaced-apartrelation around an imaginary cylinder with their axes parallel to theaxis of said cylinder so as to encircle an article being cleaned; ahousing for said brushes having an opening -in one end for inserting anarticle to be cleaned; a support bearing at each end of each' brushattached to said housing, one of'said bearings being flexible to' permitdisplacement of its supported brush end away from said axis; a flexiblesupport coupling on the end of said brush opposite said flexiblebearingand means for rotating said brushes, one in opposite direction to theothers.

2. The machine of claim 1 having three brushes spaced apart.

3. The machine of claim 2 including means for spraying a cleansing fluidonto said brushes.

4. Themachine of claim 2 including at least one fluid dispersal linewithin said housing having spray orifices directed toward saidbrushes; afluid reservoir connected by a supply line to said dispersal line; and adrain from said housing.

5. The'machine of claim 2 including at least one fluid dispersal linewithin said housing having spray orifices directed toward said brushes;a fluid reservoir connected by a supply line to said dispersal line; apump in said supply line; a drain line connecting a lower section of.said housing withsaid reservoir; and means in said drain li'neforremoval of solids fromsaid fluid.

6. A machine for cleaning a bowling pin comprising a' cylindricalhousing having a closed end and an axial opening in the opposite end forinsertion of said bowling pin; several brushes, each comprising acylindrical body member, an axially extending spindle at each end ofsaid body member, and bristles extending radially from said body member,said brushes being-disposed parallel to the axis of said housing andequidistant there from'at regular angular intervals to form a space atsaid axis smaller than said pin providing'con'tact of said pin' with allof said'brus'hes; support bearings at each end of said housing for saidbrushes, the bearing for one of 7. The machine of claim 6 having threebrushes spaced 120 apart. p

8. The machine ofclaim 7 'having fluid spraying means within saidhousing directed toward said brushes; a supply'rese'rvoir for saidspraying means; means for passing fluid from said reservoir to saidspraying meansj and a drain in said housing;

9. The machine of claim 6 wherein the flexible hearing comprises abearing member surrounding the spindle of its respective brush; a basefor saidbearing attached to said housing; a guide shaft fixed to saidmember and slidablylextending into a receptacle in said base"; acompressionspring surrounding saidshaft and engaging said a e and saidmemberso as to urge said member radially.

inwardly toward the axis of said cylinder; and means for limiting theinward movement of said member at its normal operating position.

10. The machine of claim 7 wherein the flexible bearing comprises abearing member surrounding the spindle of its respective brush, saidmember being spring biased radially inwardly in its normal operatingposition and having a guide shaft slidably engaging a support body onsaid housing.

11. The machine of claim 7 supported obliquely in a frame with saidaxial opening up; aligned V-type driving pulleys on said exteriorsection of said spindles for driving said brushes; a motor mounted insaid frame having its drive shaft parallel with said spindles; a V-typedrive pulley on said drive shaft aligned with aforesaid pulleys; aV-belt in driving engagement with each of said pulleys so as to rotatetwo of said driving pulleys in one direction and the third in theopposite direction. 12. The machine of claim 11 including liquid spraysin said housing directed toward at least one of said brushes; areservoir on said frame for a cleaning liquid; a supply line connectedwith said sprays; a return line from a lower section of said housing tosaid reservoir; and means for circulating liquid from said reservoir tosaid sprays and back to said reservoir.

13. The machine of claim 7 wherein the contour of the outer surface ofsaid brushes is arcuate from end to endto correspond substantially withthe contour of the body section of a bowling pin.

14. The machine of claim 13 wherein said brushes are spaced to provide aspace at the axis of said housing slightly smaller than said bodysection.

15. The machine of claim 13 wherein the bristles on the insertion endsof the brushes are shorter than the bristles on the opposite ends tominimize gripping of the pin by the brushes during cleaning withresultant choking of machine speed.

16. A cleaning machine comprising several rotary brushes, each havingbn'stles positioned along its axis of rotation and extendingtransversely thereof, the bristles of each brush defining a concavebrushing surface around the periphery and from end to end thereof, saidbrushes being rotatable on spindles clustered about a common axissubstantially parallel therewith and uniformly spaced therefrom toprovide an enclosure expanded intermediate the brush ends for an articleto be cleaned and partial space for inserting and withdrawing saidarticle from said enclosure at said common axis adjacent one end of thebrushes; bearing means at each end of each brush including a flexiblysupported hearing on the insertion end of one brush, making said enddisplaceable away from said common axis; a flexible coupling on theopposite end of said one brush, said coupling and said flexiblysupported bearing providing for displacement of said one brush tofacilitate insertion of an article shaped symmetrically about anextended axis and expanded intermediate its ends to fit the generalcontour of said enclosure; driving means on the ends of said brushesopposite the insertion end; and support means for said bearings anddriving means.

17. The machine of claim 16 including a housing around said brushesproviding said support means and having an opening therein at theinsertion end of said brushes larger in diameter than the maximumdiameter of said enclosure, said enclosure having the contour of theexpanded section of a bowling pin and being slightly smaller indiameter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,058,460 Porter Apr. 8, 1913 2,637,054 Holmes May 5, 1953 2,671,916Zipperlin Mar. 16, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 674,645 Germany Apr. 19, 1939802,200 Germany Feb. 5, 1951

